The Rats Disease

It was with much sadness that I learnt of the death of Andy Holmes. The gold Olympic Games medalist, who coxed alongside Sir Steve Regrave, died from Weil’s disease, known collectively as leptospirosis.
Weil’s disease is an illness that is very rare. It is carried in the urine of infected animals, particularly rats, and is caught through contact with water or areas contaminated by the urine of infected animals. Bacteria enter through skin abrasions or via eyes, nose or mouth.

The infection is a problem for watersport athletes because it can be caught by coming into contact with river water contaminated by rat urine. The bacteria does not survive long in dry conditions or salt water. The risk of infection is greater in stagnant or slow-moving water but cases have occurred in swift moving streams and lowland rivers. There is an enhanced risk where flash floods have washed out rat runs.

Deaths from Weil’s disease are higher in countries where hygene is poor. In England and Wales, Weil’s disease is very rare, with an average of 40 cases being reported each year. Since 1996, there have been four deaths from Weil’s disease.

Protect yourself from Weil’s Disease

To minimize contracting Weil’s disease you should avoid direct skin contact with soil, vegetation or water where there may be animal droppings or urine. Never go barefoot into stables, byres, muddy soil or anywhere that animals may have been grazing. Swimming or paddling in ponds, lakes or pools to which animals have access is potentially dangerous.
These precautions are especially important where there are open cuts or sores on the skin. These should be washed gently, painted with iodine or some similar disinfectant and covered with a protective dressing. If flu-like symptoms develop within a couple of weeks be sure to mention any possible exposure to a doctor. A course of antibiotics will effectively deal with the bacteria causing the illness.

Savvas Othon, Technical Director at Rentokil Pest Control, comments, “as rats are nocturnal and usually hide from humans it’s hard to identify them in a commercial site. Typical signs that you have an unwelcome guest may include:

Droppings – rats leave dark, tapered droppings about 10-14mm long

Smears – grease marks from the rats bodies as they repeatedly brush up against objects

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About Author

Alicia

I joined Rentokil just over two years ago and am no stranger to pest control - a number of unwelcome tenants have made my home their home too. Having lived in a number period properties, I learned long ago that the ancient beams, sash windows and chimney breasts are also adored by spiders, insects and furries.

Comments

B27/10/2010 | 9:36

I heard about this on BBC breakfast and think this is such a tragic case. All they said at the time on the programme was that it was a water-borne disease that he died from. I did not realise at the time that it was connected to rats.

I used to live on the river and I would see the rats swimming across the bank and they would run across our patio. We had to get them treated as it was getting out of control. We had six at one point – they were after the bird food I left out but I had no idea they were so dangerous.

What a huge tragedy this was. My cousin was one of Andy Holmes school chums. This disease may not kill high numbers but there are many others who get affected by the disease leaving them with problems for the rest of their lives.

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